A Popeyes employee in New Jersey allegedly shot at a car, hitting the driver in the head, with his lawyers claiming he was ambushed and acted in self-defense, according to a report.
Christian Ruiz, 18, a cashier and prep cook at the chicken restaurant, was allegedly jumped by a group of six people in the parking lot of a Mays Landing Popeyes on June 9, according to NJ.com.
According to the report, the fast food worker was injured in the face, head, and neck.
According to Breaking AC, Ruiz allegedly fired on the car and hit the driver in the head as they fled.
The driver was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and treated for his head wound, according to the report.
Ruiz, who had also sought medical attention for his injuries, was arrested on June 10, according to reports.
According to Ruiz’s lawyers, the group allegedly rolled up on the Popeyes employee shortly after 11 p.m., after the restaurant had closed, to enact a revenge beating for a supposedly messed-up car.
“Manny called and expressed interest in doing something…” He had a plan to exact revenge on the people who messed up his car,” Ruiz’ lawyer John Zarych told the court Tuesday, reading from a police interview with one of the car’s occupants, according to Breaking AC.
Superior Court Judge Joseph Levin stated that he was not trying to “belittle” the alleged gang assault, but rather that using a firearm in response to the assault was “a disproportionate amount of force,” according to the outlet.
The 18-year-old was released from prison on Tuesday and will be free pending his trial.
Levin, the judge, stated that it was a “close call” to release him, according to Breaking AC.
Ruiz’s fellow Popeyes employees were shocked to hear about the explosive incident, telling lawyers for the 18-year-old that he was a model employee who had never missed a shift and would have a job waiting for him when his court case was resolved, according to the outlet.
Ruiz faces 23 charges, including six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, and aggravated assault by discharging a firearm into a vehicle.
Ruiz’s lawyers and the Hamilton Township Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.
